Coupling assembly with retaining clip member

ABSTRACT

A female coupling device includes: a main body, and a clip member coupled to the main body, the clip member having a plurality of arms extending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms forming at least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a first distance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the first distance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male coupling device, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the mating male coupling device. In a locked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device. In an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/207,787, filed Dec. 3, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/878,464, filed Oct. 8, 2015, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,151,409 and claims priority to U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/061,791, filed on Oct. 9, 2014 and U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/102,841, filed on Jan. 13, 2015, the entireties of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Coupling assemblies typically include female and male coupling devicesthat are connected to create a fluid flow path therebetween. Suchcoupling assemblies can be used in various applications to connectsources of fluid with destinations for that fluid.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a female coupling device includes: a main body defining afirst fluid passageway therethrough; and a clip member coupled to themain body, the clip member defining a clip body and a plurality of armsextending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms formingat least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a firstdistance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the firstdistance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male couplingdevice, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the matingmale coupling device; wherein, in a locked position, the pair of arms ispositioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating malecoupling device so that the pair of arms is received in the clip grooveto couple the mating male coupling device to the female coupling device;and wherein, in an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned sothat the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling deviceto allow the mating male coupling device to be removed from the femalecoupling device.

In another aspect, a female coupling assembly includes: a main bodyincluding a first female coupling device and a second female couplingdevice, with the first female coupling device defining a first fluidpassageway therethrough, and the second female coupling device defininga second fluid passageway therethrough; and a clip member coupled to themain body, the clip member defining a clip body and a plurality of armsextending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms formingat least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a firstdistance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the firstdistance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male couplingdevice, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the matingmale coupling device; wherein, in a locked position, the pair of arms ispositioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating malecoupling device so that the pair of arms is received in the clip grooveto couple the mating male coupling device to the female couplingassembly; and wherein, in an unlocked position, the pair of arms ispositioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating malecoupling device to allow the mating male coupling device to be removedfrom the female coupling assembly.

In another aspect, a female coupling assembly includes: a main bodyincluding a first female coupling device and a second female couplingdevice, with the first female coupling device defining a first fluidpassageway therethrough, and the second female coupling device defininga second fluid passageway therethrough; and a clip member coupled to themain body, the clip member defining a clip body and a plurality of armsextending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms formingat least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a firstdistance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the firstdistance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male couplingdevice, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the matingmale coupling device; wherein, in a locked position, the pair of arms ispositioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating malecoupling device so that the pair of arms is received in the clip grooveto couple the mating male coupling device to the female couplingassembly; and wherein, in an unlocked position, the pair of arms ispositioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating malecoupling device and the pair of arms is flexed outwardly to allow themating male coupling device to be removed from the female couplingassembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example coupling assembly.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the coupling assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the coupling assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the coupling assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another side view of the coupling assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the coupling assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of the coupling assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a female coupling assembly of thecoupling assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is another side view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the female coupling assemblyof FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 8without the clip member.

FIG. 16 is an end view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is another side view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 15.

FIG. 21 is a top view of a clip member of the female coupling assemblyof FIG. 8.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the clip member of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the clip member of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is an end view of the clip member of FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the clip member of FIG. 21.

FIG. 26 is another side view of the clip member of FIG. 21.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the female coupling assembly ofFIG. 8 with the clip member in the locked position.

FIG. 28 is another cross-sectional view of the female coupling assemblyof FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is another cross-sectional view of the female coupling assemblyof FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the female coupling assembly ofFIG. 8 with the clip member in the unlocked position.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of another female coupling assembly.

FIG. 33 is an end view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is an opposite end view of the female coupling assembly of FIG.32.

FIG. 35 is a top view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 32.

FIG. 36 is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 32.

FIG. 37 is a side view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 32.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 32without the clip member.

FIG. 39 is an end view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is an opposite end view of the female coupling assembly of FIG.38.

FIG. 41 is a top view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 42 is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 43 is a side view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 44 is a top view of a clip member of the female coupling assemblyof FIG. 32.

FIG. 45 is a bottom view of the clip member of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the clip member of FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is an end view of the clip member of FIG. 44.

FIG. 48 is an opposite end view of the clip member of FIG. 44.

FIG. 49 is a side view of the clip member of FIG. 44.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of another female coupling assembly.

FIG. 51 is an end view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 50.

FIG. 52 is a top view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 50.

FIG. 53 is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 50.

FIG. 54 is a side view of the female coupling assembly of FIG. 50.

FIG. 55 is a top view of a clip member of the female coupling assemblyof FIG. 50.

FIG. 56 is a bottom view of the clip member of FIG. 55.

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the clip member of FIG. 55.

FIG. 58 is an end view of the clip member of FIG. 55.

FIG. 59 is a side view of the clip member of FIG. 55.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a dual couplingassembly including two female coupling devices. Other configurations arepossible. For example, in another aspect, the present disclosure relatesto a coupling assembly including a single female coupling device.

In the examples described herein, the coupling assembly is valved (seevalving 500 in FIGS. 31 and 33). However, in other examples, thecoupling assembly can be non-valved.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6 and 31, an example coupling assembly 100 isshown. The coupling assembly includes female coupling assembly 201 withfemale coupling devices 200A, 200B and male coupling devices 300A, 300B.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-20, in this example, the female couplingdevices 200A, 200B are joined by a shroud portion 400. The shroudportion 400 is coupled to the female coupling devices 200A, 200B so thatthe female coupling assembly 201 forms dual, separate fluid passageways.Specifically, each of the female coupling devices 200A, 200B includes amain body 204A, 204B and a termination 202A, 202B. The main body 204A,204B forms a fluid passageway 201A, 201B therethrough. In theseexamples, fluid can be any type of fluid, such as a liquid or gas (e.g.,air). Each fluid passageway 201A, 201B is separate.

The female coupling assembly 201 can be formed using known techniques,such as sonic welding, staking, press-fitting, threading, insertmolding, and/or snapping. In this example, the main bodies 204A, 204Band shroud portion 400 are integrally molded. However, in otherexamples, the main bodies 204A, 204B, terminations 202A, 202B, andshroud portion 400 can be coupled using sonic welding or othertechniques disclosed herein.

The male coupling devices 300A, 300B each includes a main body 304A,304B and a termination 302A, 302B. The main body 304A, 304B forms afluid passageway 301A, 301B therethrough and a clip groove 303A, 303B.

The terminations 202A, 202B, 302A, 302B are configured to be coupled toanother component, such as fluid lines and/or devices. For example, inone embodiment, the termination 302A is connected to a fluid lineextending to a fluid source. The termination 202A is connected to afluid line extending to a fluid destination. Fluid (i.e., liquid or gas)is provided from the fluid source, through the fluid line, through thefemale coupling assembly 201, and to the fluid destination. Theterminations 302B and 202B can be similarly connected to the same or adifferent fluid source and destination.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-26, the female coupling assembly 201 includesa clip member 250. The clip member 250 is protected by the shroudportion 400 and moves in directions 254, 255 (see FIGS. 27-30) betweenlocked and unlocked positions.

As shown in FIGS. 27-29, the clip member 250 is in the locked position.A spring 256 forces the clip member 250 in the direction 255 into thislocked position. The spring 256 is positioned about a post 260. The clipmember 250 is retained in the locked position within the shroud portion400 by tabs 262, 264 that engage the shroud portion 400. Specifically,the tab 262 engages a tab 462 formed by the shroud portion 400, and thetab 264 on an end of the post 260 engages a tab 464 formed by materialextending between the main bodies 204A, 204B to hold the clip member 250in place.

The clip member 250 includes a main body 270 with a contoured portion272 that allows for placement of an individual's finger (e.g., thumb)for actuation from the locked state to the unlocked state, as describedbelow. In addition, there are recessed contours 207 formed on the bottomsides of the main bodies 204A, 204B to help locate opposing fingers ofthe individual to assist in generating the force necessary to actuatethe clip member 250. Arms 274A, 274B and 276A, 276B extend generallyperpendicularly from the main body 270 in pairs. The arms 274A, 276Aform a first pair and are positioned to engage the male coupling device300A in the clip groove 303A formed on the main body 304A, and the arms274B, 276B form a second pair and are positioned to engage the malecoupling device 300B in the clip groove 303B formed on the main body304B.

For example, a distance 292 between the arms 274A, 276A is smaller thana diameter of a front portion 305A of the main body 304A of the malecoupling device 300A. When the front portion 305A is introduced into thefluid passageway 201A of the female coupling device 200A with the clipmember 250 in the locked position, the arms 274A, 274B bend in oppositedirections 258, 259 to allow the front portion 305A to passtherethrough. A tapered portion 278 of each arm 274A, 276A facilitatesthe arms 274A, 276A riding along the front portion 305A as the arms274A, 276A are forced to bend in directions 258, 259.

When the male coupling device 300A is fully inserted, the arms 274A,276A are received in the clip groove 303A. Since the clip groove 303Ahas a smaller diameter, the arms 274A, 276A return to their restingpositions within the clip groove 303A. In this configuration, the arms274A, 276A are positioned in the clip groove 303A at opposite sides ofthe male coupling device 300A and resist movement of the male couplingdevice 300A in a direction out of the female coupling device 200A. Thisretains the male coupling device 300A within the female coupling device200A so that fluid can flow therethrough.

In this example, the openings formed by the main body 204B each includesan angled front surface 209. See FIG. 31. This angled front surface 209functions to force the arms 274A, 274B and 276A, 276B inward towards theclip grooves 303A, 303B when the clip member 250 is in the lockedposition and an axial load is placed on the mating male coupling device300A, 300B in a direction out of the mating female coupling device 200A,200B. In this manner, the angled front surfaces 209 help to retain themale coupling device 300A, 300B within the respective female couplingdevice 200A, 200B.

The male coupling device 300B can be coupled to the main body 204B in asimilar manner. Each of the male coupling devices 300A, 300B can beconnected separately to the female coupling assembly 201 withoutimpacting the connection state of the other coupling device 300A, 300B.In other words, since the clip member 250 remains in the locked positionduring insertion of the male coupling devices 300A, 300B, theintroduction of a second male coupling device while a first malecoupling device is already connected does not disconnect the first malecoupling device.

When the clip member 250 is depressed in the direction 254 against thespring 256, any of the male coupling devices 300A, 300B that are coupledto the female coupling assembly 201 can be disconnected from the femalecoupling assembly 201.

The unlocked position for the clip member 250 is shown in FIG. 30. Whendepressed, the arms 274A, 276A (and 274B, 276B) are moved so thatnotches 284A, 286A, are positioned at the clip groove 303A. In addition,ends of the arms 274A, 276A contact angled surfaces 289 formed by themain body 204A to cause the arms 274A, 276A to move in the directions258, 259. This allows the front portion 305A to clear the arms 274A,276A and thereupon remove the male coupling device 300A from the femalecoupling device 200A. In other words, since the distance 294 at thenotches 284A, 286A is larger (i.e., wider) than the distance 292, thearms 274A, 276A can clear the clip groove 303A and front portion 305A toallow for removal of the male coupling device 300A. Removal of the malecoupling device 300B can be accomplished in a similar manner.

When the clip member 250 is released, the spring 256 thereupon moves theclip member 250 in the direction 255 back into the locked position.

In example embodiments, the female coupling assembly 201 is formed usingvarious polymeric materials. In one example, the main bodies 204A, 204B(including terminations 202A, 202B) and shroud portion 400 are made ofABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and clip member 250 is made ofacetal. These structures can be formed using various techniques, such asinjected molding. Other materials, such as polycarbonate, polysulfone,nylon, and polypropylene, can be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 32-49, another example female coupling assembly600 is shown. The female coupling assembly 600 is similar to the femalecoupling assembly 201 described above except for the noted differencesbelow.

The female coupling assembly 600 includes female coupling devices 600A,600B and a clip member 650. The female coupling devices 600A, 600Binclude valves 500.

As shown in FIGS. 44-49, the clip member 650 includes a main body 670with arms 674A, 674B and 676A, 676B extend generally perpendicularlyfrom the main body 670 in pairs like clip member 250 described herein.

Each of the arms 672A, 674A, 672B, 674B includes a bottom portion 672A,674A, 672B, 674B that extends from the arms 674A, 674B and 676A, 676B,respectively. Each pair of the bottom portions 672A, 674A, 672B, 674Bextends towards the opposite bottom portion 672A, 674A, 672B, 674B,respectively. Each of the bottom portions 672A, 674A, 672B, 674Bincludes a contoured section 678 sized to be received in the clip grooveof a mating male coupling device, as described below. The section 678also assists in the deflection of the arms 674A, 674B and 676A, 676Bduring connection of the male coupling device 300A.

Each pair of the bottom portions 672A, 674A, 672B, 674B forms an opening676 therebetween, so that the bottom portions 672A, 674A, 672B, 674B donot extend completely to touch. The opening 676 allows the respectivearms 674A, 674B and 676A, 676B to flex during insertion of the malecoupling device, so that the arms 674A, 674B and 676A, 676B and bottomportions 672A, 674A, 672B, 674B move outwardly to allow for insertion ofthe male coupling device 300A.

When the male coupling device 300A is fully inserted into the femalecoupling device 600A of the female coupling assembly 600, the arms 674A,676A are received in the clip groove 303A. In addition, the bottomportions 672A, 674A are received in the clip groove 303A. Since the clipgroove 303A has a smaller diameter, the arms 674A, 676A return to theirresting positions within the clip groove 303A. In this configuration,the arms 674A, 676A are positioned in the clip groove 303A at oppositesides of the male coupling device 300A and the bottom portions 672A,674A at the bottom of the clip groove 303A to resist movement of themale coupling device 300A in a direction out of the female couplingdevice 600A. This retains the male coupling device 300A within thefemale coupling device 600A so that fluid can flow therethrough.

Each of the male coupling devices 300A, 300B can be connected separatelyto the female coupling assembly 600 without impacting the connectionstate of the other coupling device 300A, 300B. In other words, since theclip member 650 remains in the locked position during insertion of themale coupling devices 300A, 300B, the introduction of a second malecoupling device while a first male coupling device is already connecteddoes not disconnect the first male coupling device.

When the clip member 650 is depressed, any of the male coupling devices300A, 300B that is coupled to the female coupling assembly 600 isdisconnected from the female coupling assembly 600. When depressed, thearms 674A, 676A (and 674B, 676B) are moved so that notches 284A, 286A,are positioned at the clip groove 303A and the bottom portions 672A,674A, 672B, 674B are moved out of the clip groove 303A (and move withinopenings 610 formed at the bottom of the female coupling device 600A, asshown in FIGS. 36 and 42). This allows the front portion 305A to clearthe arms 674A, 676A and the bottom portions 672A, 674A, 672B, 674B andthereupon remove the male coupling device 300A from the female couplingdevice 600A.

A member 611 is formed between each pair of openings 610 formed in thebody 600A. The member 611 functions to strengthen the body 600A,particularly during loading of the mating male coupling device upon use.Specifically, the member 611 can maintain the shape of the openings 610during axial loading of the male coupling device during use.

Although the examples show a dual coupling assembly, in otherembodiments a single coupler can be used. In such an example, a singlepair of arms would extend from the clip member to capture the singlemale coupling device inserted into the single female coupling device.

For instance, referring now to FIGS. 50-59, another example femalecoupling assembly 700 is shown. The female coupling assembly 700 issimilar to the female coupling assembly 600 described above except forthe noted differences below.

The female coupling assembly 700 includes a single female couplingdevice 700A and a clip member 750. The female coupling device 700includes a valve 500.

As shown in FIGS. 55-59, the clip member 750 includes a main body 770with arms 774A, 774B extend generally perpendicularly from the main body770 in a pair like clip members 250, 650 described herein.

Each of the arms 774A, 774B includes a bottom portion 772A, 772B thatextends from the arms 774A, 774B, respectively. The bottom portion 772Aextends towards the bottom portion 772B. Each of the bottom portions772A, 772B includes a contoured section 778 sized to be received in theclip groove of a mating male coupling device, as described below. Thesection 778 also assists in the deflection of the arms 774A, 774B duringconnection of the male coupling device 300A.

The bottom portions 774A, 774B form an opening 776 therebetween, so thatthe bottom portions 774A, 774B do not extend completely to touch. Theopening 776 allows the respective arms 774A, 774B to flex duringinsertion of the male coupling device, so that the arms 774A, 774B andbottom portions 772A, 772B move outwardly to allow for insertion of themale coupling device 300A. Other configurations are possible. Forexample, in another design, the bottom portions 774A, 774B extendtowards one another to touch or otherwise interface.

When the male coupling device 300A is fully inserted into the femalecoupling device 700A of the female coupling assembly 700, the arms 774A,774B are received in the clip groove 303A. In addition, the bottomportions 772A, 772B are received in the clip groove 303A. Since the clipgroove 303A has a smaller diameter, the arms 774A, 774B return to theirresting positions within the clip groove 303A. In this configuration,the arms 774A, 774B are positioned in the clip groove 303A at oppositesides of the male coupling device 300A and the bottom portions 772A,772B at the bottom of the clip groove 303A to resist movement of themale coupling device 300A in a direction out of the female couplingdevice 600A. This retains the male coupling device 300A within thefemale coupling device 700A so that fluid can flow therethrough.

When the clip member 750 is depressed, the male coupling device 300Athat is coupled to the female coupling assembly 700 can be disconnectedfrom the female coupling assembly 700. When depressed, the arms 774A,774B are moved so that notches 784A, 784B are positioned at the clipgroove 303A and the bottom portions 772A, 772B are moved out of the clipgroove 303A (and move within openings 710 formed at the bottom of thefemale coupling device 700A, as shown in FIG. 53). This allows the frontportion 305A to clear the arms 774A, 774B and the bottom portions 772A,772B and thereupon remove the male coupling device 300A from the femalecoupling device 700A.

Other configurations are possible. For example, in another embodiment, adual coupling assembly is provided that includes two separate clipmembers. Each of the clip members can be configured in a manner similarto that of the clip member 750 described above. In this example, each ofthe clip members of the dual assembly can be actuated separately fromthe other.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A female coupling device, comprising: a main bodydefining a first fluid passageway extending therethrough along alongitudinal direction of the main body; and a clip member coupled tothe main body and movable relative to the main body between a lockedposition and an unlocked position, the clip member comprising a clipbody and a pair of arms extending from the clip body transverse to thelongitudinal direction, wherein a first arm of the pair of arms includesa first bottom end portion and a second arm of the pair of arms includesa second bottom end portion, wherein the first and second bottom endportions are spaced apart from each other by an opening distance,wherein the main body defines a first opening in which the first bottomend portion movably resides and a second opening in which the secondbottom end portion movably resides, wherein an outer wall portion ofeach of the first and second openings extends at an acute angle relativeto the longitudinal direction such that the first and second bottom endportions are forced toward each other by the outer wall portions whenthe pair of arms are forced in the longitudinal direction against theouter wall portions, wherein the first and second bottom end portionsare laterally wider than respective first and second middle portions ofthe first and second arms, wherein a distance between the first andsecond middle portions is greater than a distance between the first andsecond bottom end portions, and wherein inner edges of the first andsecond bottom end portions are thinner along the longitudinal directionthan a thickest portion of the first and second bottom end portionsalong the longitudinal direction.
 2. The female coupling device of claim1, wherein the main body defines a second fluid passageway extendingtherethrough along the longitudinal direction of the main body.
 3. Thefemale coupling device of claim 2, further comprising a second pair ofarms extending from the clip body transverse to the longitudinaldirection.
 4. The female coupling device of claim 3, wherein the secondpair of arms includes a third arm and a fourth arm, and wherein thethird arm and the fourth arm are on opposite sides of the second fluidpassageway.
 5. The female coupling device of claim 4, wherein the mainbody defines a third opening in which a third bottom end portion of thethird arm movably resides and a fourth opening in which the a fourthbottom end portion of the fourth arm movably resides.
 6. The femalecoupling device of claim 5, wherein an outer wall portion of each of thethird and fourth openings extends at an acute angle relative to thelongitudinal direction such that the third and fourth bottom endportions are forced toward each other by the outer wall portions whenthe second pair of arms are forced in the longitudinal direction againstthe outer wall portions.
 7. The female coupling device of claim 1,wherein a male coupling device can be coupled with the female couplingdevice while the clip body remains in the locked position.
 8. The femalecoupling device of claim 7, wherein the first arm and the second armflex away from each other as the male coupling device is being coupledwith the female coupling device.
 9. The female coupling device of claim1, wherein the first arm and the second arm are on opposite sides of thefirst fluid passageway.